Korean Actor Lee Byung-hun Sees History in Nominations for Golden Globe and Gotham Awards
Lee Byung-hun's film "No Other Choice" has led him down a path that could make history at the 84th Golden Globes, with his name included on the list of nominees for best actor – comedy or musical. This marks the first time a Korean actor has received such an honor.
When asked about receiving the nomination, Lee revealed he had been informed by a friend while asleep in Korea during the ceremony announcement. The news hit him like a dream and he expressed that although winning is not his focus as an actor, he is thrilled for the film's achievements.
Lee Byung-hun can be seen smiling in front of Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice', which has also garnered attention at this year's Gotham Awards.
In "No Other Choice," Lee portrays Mansu, a devoted manager who struggles to find employment after 25 years with his paper company. His determination puts his family and all their hard work at risk. The story takes darkly comedic turns in its portrayal of the struggles faced by an underdog fighting for survival in a rapidly changing job market.
Lee discussed the key elements that helped him connect with Mansu's character, citing Mansu's sense of desperation to protect his family as pivotal. When it comes to bringing out laughter and drama, Lee emphasized the importance of modulating comedy and tragedy, often using Mansu's viewpoint to convey these contrasting emotions.
The film is notable for its long take shot in one scene where Mansu is having an awkward encounter with potential employers; this took 30 takes to perfect and proved challenging due to working with animals on set. Lee highlighted that the role required him to be completely immersed in Mansu's feelings, a point he emphasized when discussing his favorite scenes from the film.
Lee Byung-hun revealed which scenes he enjoyed filming most, mentioning not only the music room scene but also an interview where Mansu tries to bluff his way through while suffering toothache and struggling with body language. He stressed that what makes him choose projects is whether they're "fun" – a subjective quality he prioritizes.
Among up-and-coming Korean directors Lee expressed interest in Yoon Ga-eun, whose latest films showcase her unique vision and bring fresh perspectives to the film industry.
Lee Byung-hun also shared his thoughts on other notable movies of 2025 that stood out to him, including "One Battle After Another" and "Train Dreams." Both films, he noted, have a deep emotional impact that lingers long after viewing. He concluded by stating his desire to work with director Park Chan-wook again in the future.
Lee Byung-hun's historic Golden Globe nomination highlights his growing presence on international cinema stages, while also showcasing Park Chan-wook's versatility as a filmmaker.
Lee Byung-hun's film "No Other Choice" has led him down a path that could make history at the 84th Golden Globes, with his name included on the list of nominees for best actor – comedy or musical. This marks the first time a Korean actor has received such an honor.
When asked about receiving the nomination, Lee revealed he had been informed by a friend while asleep in Korea during the ceremony announcement. The news hit him like a dream and he expressed that although winning is not his focus as an actor, he is thrilled for the film's achievements.
Lee Byung-hun can be seen smiling in front of Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice', which has also garnered attention at this year's Gotham Awards.
In "No Other Choice," Lee portrays Mansu, a devoted manager who struggles to find employment after 25 years with his paper company. His determination puts his family and all their hard work at risk. The story takes darkly comedic turns in its portrayal of the struggles faced by an underdog fighting for survival in a rapidly changing job market.
Lee discussed the key elements that helped him connect with Mansu's character, citing Mansu's sense of desperation to protect his family as pivotal. When it comes to bringing out laughter and drama, Lee emphasized the importance of modulating comedy and tragedy, often using Mansu's viewpoint to convey these contrasting emotions.
The film is notable for its long take shot in one scene where Mansu is having an awkward encounter with potential employers; this took 30 takes to perfect and proved challenging due to working with animals on set. Lee highlighted that the role required him to be completely immersed in Mansu's feelings, a point he emphasized when discussing his favorite scenes from the film.
Lee Byung-hun revealed which scenes he enjoyed filming most, mentioning not only the music room scene but also an interview where Mansu tries to bluff his way through while suffering toothache and struggling with body language. He stressed that what makes him choose projects is whether they're "fun" – a subjective quality he prioritizes.
Among up-and-coming Korean directors Lee expressed interest in Yoon Ga-eun, whose latest films showcase her unique vision and bring fresh perspectives to the film industry.
Lee Byung-hun also shared his thoughts on other notable movies of 2025 that stood out to him, including "One Battle After Another" and "Train Dreams." Both films, he noted, have a deep emotional impact that lingers long after viewing. He concluded by stating his desire to work with director Park Chan-wook again in the future.
Lee Byung-hun's historic Golden Globe nomination highlights his growing presence on international cinema stages, while also showcasing Park Chan-wook's versatility as a filmmaker.
lee byung hun is literally going to make history 
i'm so happy for him and park chan wook too! their collaboration on "no other choice" was already amazing, but now it's official 
the film's themes of struggle and perseverance really resonated with me. i love how lee emphasizes the importance of modulating comedy and drama in his performances 
it's no wonder he won over so many hearts (and awards 
)
. lee byung-hun's film might be well-crafted and all, but I'm not buying into the hype that he's suddenly a comedy genius or whatever. i mean, have you seen his previous roles? he's still playing the same old types – the brooding hero or the charming lead 
. and don't even get me started on park chan-wook... has anyone else noticed how he only casts korean actors in his films? 
it's like he's trying to create some sort of korean-centric cinematic universe or something. i'm just waiting for someone to come along and do a film that actually challenges these guys' perceptions of the world 
.
anyway, congrats to lee byung-hun i guess! 
he seems like a cool guy too. park chan-wook's direction is always on point tho 
The more things change, the more they stay the same 
- and that includes the Hollywood scene! It's dope to see Korean actors like Lee Byung-hun making waves in the industry 
. He's killing it with his new flick "No Other Choice" and getting recognized for it at major awards 
. I mean, Lee Byung-hun's been killing the game in Korea for years and now he's finally getting recognized globally. But, let's be real, "No Other Choice" isn't like it's some groundbreaking film or anything. It's still just a comedy about a dude struggling to find work 
. That guy's a genius. And I'm glad to see Lee Byung-hun giving props to up-and-coming Korean directors like Yoon Ga-eun 
. Maybe they're trying to make a point or something?
i've seen 'no other choice' and mansu is such a complex character lol i love how lee brought out his emotional side in that film, especially during those awkward interview scenes 
also can't wait to see what else park chan-wook has up his sleeve 
. The fact that he's the first Korean actor to get a Golden Globe nom makes history for our culture 
. It's all about showcasing talent & hard work, I guess.
he's been working super hard and it's paying off 
i'm not surprised though, he's always been talented and dedicated to his craft 
but what really gets me is how passionate he is about the craft... like when he talks about connecting with mansu's character, it's so clear he's all in 
and I saw this one place that has these insane latte art designs... like, a perfect replica of the Golden Gate Bridge on top of your drink 
! Anyway, back to Lee Byung-hun... it's so cool that he's getting recognition for his acting skills, but what's really interesting is how much research goes into finding the right comedic timing and dramatic flair in scenes 
. I'm loving how humble he is about winning though, he's all about his craft and the film's achievements 
i'm excited to see what other projects he has coming up, especially those with yoon ga-eun she seems like a talented up-and-coming director worth keeping an eye on 
. and "No Other Choice" sounds like a really well-made film - that long take shot in one scene is wild 
AND IT'S AMAZING TO SEE HIM GETTING RECOGNITION FOR HIS ACTING SKILLS 
i love how he stays grounded and says that winning isn't his focus, but still gets super excited about it 
Lee's thoughts on working with Yoon Ga-eun are also really inspiring, it's great to see him supporting new talent 
i love how he prioritizes having fun in projects over anything else, thats so admirable